Stephen A. Lawrence
Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:25:30 -0700
Edmund Storms wrote:
Interesting logic, Stephen. Let's explore another possibility. Suppose thought transfer is common in animals that do not have a complex language. One might use schooling fish as an example or perhaps a flock of birds. While other explanations can be suggested for the observed behavior, thought transfer provides a very consistent explanation. In addition, this ability would have great survival value.
It's also interesting to note that this avoids the problems I pointed out with "involuntary" mind reading. Thought transference of this sort would presumably require the cooperation of the *sender*, and hence would not automatically lead to an "arms race", or to the evolution of brainwave jamming.
I find the arguments I put forth reasonably convincing as regards "pull" transfers, and the possibility that you'll someday meet someone who can read your mind and tell what you've got in your hand during a poker game. But those arguments don't bear at all on sender-initiated "push" transfers.